Economist Podcasts

The air of their ways: South Asia’s crippling pollution

Feb 21, 2023
Leo Marani, The Economist's South Asia correspondent, dives deep into the air pollution crisis plaguing South Asia, where nine of the ten cities with the worst air quality exist. He discusses how poor policies and agricultural practices worsen health and economic issues. Marani also touches on the urgent need for international collaboration to combat pollution. Additionally, he shares a gripping tale of two Russians who escape their oppressive homeland and highlights the lifestyle habits of the Seventh Day Adventist community that contribute to their longevity.
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ADVICE

Regional Cooperation

  • Regional cooperation, though challenging, is crucial for effective pollution control.
  • China's success in cleaning up Beijing's air through air shed management offers a valuable lesson.
ANECDOTE

Sergei and Maxim's Dissent

  • Sergei, a truck driver, and Maxim, a fisherman, both from Evyakinye, Russia, were critical of the Russian state and the war in Ukraine.
  • Sergei's outspokenness led to charges of extremism, prompting their decision to flee.
ANECDOTE

Escape to Alaska

  • To avoid conscription, Sergei and Maxim decided to flee to Alaska in Maxim's small fishing boat.
  • This risky 300-mile journey across the Bering Sea highlighted their desperation.
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